Lumiose City was perhaps the most beautiful city in Kalos and definitely held rank amongst the best cities in the world. At the center of it, was Lumiose Tower, which was undoubtedly the most famous landmark. But the biggest sight to behold was the Grand Royal Palace. This was where Princess Serena resided. Unfortunately, her mother, Queen Grace, had died 6 months earlier from a short-term illness. Queen Grace had only bore one child and Serena's father had passed shortly after her birth. This meant that Serena was the rightful ruler to overtake Queen Grace, even if she was incredibly young to be a monarch, at the tender age of 18. And this was recorded in the main palace hall in tapestries, as Serena's long line of ancestors and previous monarchs were implanted within the palace forevermore. The only other family she had were her cousins, Duchess Bonnie and Lord Clemont, who could only advise her and had no real power in the monarchy.

Yet, Serena never really cared much for the monarchy and its stuffy traditions. If she could have it all her own way, she would just be a normal citizen. But alas, she had no choice and had several duties she was obliged to perform. One of which was a regular monthly meeting with the eight lords and ladies of the land. So she hated this and was frequently bored by them. She sat in the meeting room with them, daydreaming and clock watching, wondering what else there was out there for her. The eight lords and ladies were as follows: Lady Viola of Santalune City, Lord Grant of Cyllage City, Lady Korrina of Shalour City, Lord Ramos of Coumarine City, Lady Valerie of Laverre City, Lady Olympia of Anistar City, Lord Wulfric of Snowbelle City and her very own cousin, Lord Clemont of Lumiose City. They were all nice enough people, but she always quickly grew tired of them. She wanted to be around more people her own age.

Thankfully, her lady-in-waiting was her childhood best friend, who she had grown up with and loved like a sister. Lady Shauna entered the room and served Princess Serena her earl grey tea and bowed to her. Serena thanked her and sipped it, waiting patiently for the meeting to be over. It dragged on a while, before the sun began to set and the lords and ladies finally left. Serena sighed in relief and headed over to her room with Shauna, where her ever loyal Fennekin was fast asleep in a comfy basket, beside Serena's bed. She wasn't as tired as Fennekin, though. Just mentally exhausted. She kicked her shoes off and sprawled herself out on her queen sized bed. Serena was dressed in a lovely regal pink dress today, but sometimes wished she could dress more casually and on occasion, whenever she could sneak out of the palace, she would do just that. From time to time, she even liked to pretend she was a normal person and walk around Lumiose City in a disguise. Lady Shauna often escorted her on these days. No one knew Serena better than her and she could tell something was on her mind at the moment. She followed Serena into her room and sat down on the edge of her bed.

'Your highness, what troubles you? I have noticed you have been a little… distant today,' asked a concerned Shauna.

'Oh, come now, Shauna. None of this your highness nonsense. We are alone now. Just call me Serena.'

'Right, yes. Of course, Serena. But are you okay?'

Serena entered her own world again, as she sat up and looked out of the window, where Musketeers were training long into the darkening evening. Shauna clicked her fingers in front of her to get her attention. Serena snapped out of his thoughts and looked a little surprised.
'Are you okay?' repeated Shauna.

'Hmm? Yes! Yes, I'm fine! I'm just tired of everything, you know? It's been a hard 6 months since mum died, taking everything over and all...'

Shauna nodded in understanding and patted her arm in comfort.

'... Especially because everyone is now pressuring me to get married and continue the Durand bloodline.'

Shauna chuckled a little to herself, knowing full well how fussy Serena was with men. None of them to date would do for her. So far anyway.

'Well, what was wrong with those noble gentlemen that Duchess Bonnie recommended to you the other day? What were their names again?'

Shauna tapped her chin, trying to remember them.

'Ugh. Trevor and Tierno,' said Serena, with disgust.

'Yeah, I remember now! They seemed okay to me. Lovely chaps.'

'Yeah, but okay isn't good enough, Shauna! I want someone who's gonna sweep me off my feet and make my heart sing! No one's ever done that… Well - except maybe one person…'

Shauna smiled playfully.

'Hmm. Let me take a wild guess. Are you talking about Kanto Boy again?'

Serena never got his name, so he was always just referred to as "Kanto Boy" whenever he was brought up. The princess nodded and sighed. Then she reached over to her bedside drawer, opened it and rummaged around in it. It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for, as she pulled out a dirty old handkerchief and brought it close to her chest. Shauna shook her head.

'With all due respect, Serena, that was 8 years ago. And the likelihood of you meeting him again is… is… almost impossible! He's on the other side of the world. I doubt he even remembers you anyway. You have to move on and look at what's in front of you, before it's too late!'

'Oh, Shauna. I'm in no rush to force myself into an unhappy marriage with someone I simply do not love. If I have to wait until I'm grey and old to find the right one, then so be it!'

Shauna wished Serena wouldn't be so stubborn. There were several perfectly eligible bachelors out there on her doorstep. She was becoming increasingly worried about her and her status as ruler of the land. She wouldn't technically become queen until she found a king, by the laws of the monarchy (which were quite sexist and very outdated). And until then, she was quite vulnerable to being overthrown. The royal house of Durand was in danger, the longer she remained unmarried. But Serena couldn't care less about that. She just wanted to be happy with the right man. Shauna bit her tongue and appeased Serena.

'Okay, if that is what you wish, then I respect my majesty's wishes.'

Shauna got up and bowed respectfully and then sat back down. Even though Serena was her childhood best friend and she didn't mind Shauna talking out of turn, Shauna still felt she had to show a certain level of respect for her. Because of how close they were, it was easy to forget she still served the monarch of the land and had to remind herself of that frequently.

'Yes, that is exactly what I wish. I mean, Kanto Boy, to this date, remains the only person to ever give me butterflies. And I know that sounds corny but I've never met anyone else like him…'

'I know. I know, Serena. I have heard the story many, many times…'

Shauna looked away and rolled her eyes. She was tired of hearing it by now. But Serena wasn't, as she sighed dreamily.

'Oh, I remember like it was yesterday…'

Shauna rolled her eyes again, preparing herself for the story once again.

8 years ago, Serena travelled to Kanto with her mother in the middle of a hot summer. They were there on official monarchy business, as the queen was due to meet with the president of Kanto. It was quite an informal meeting, as a garden party was held outside the president's residence in the open, with several other important figure heads from both Kanto and Kalos present. They were gathered to discuss a trade deal of some kind. Serena had no clue what exactly it was and frankly had no interest in it whatsoever, despite her mother trying to get her to pay attention to it. Grace also implored her daughter to dress up and look the part, but Serena stubbornly decided to dress casually, in a basic pink summer dress, sandals and a straw hat.

Serena walked out into the garden party and was met with a disapproving look from her mother, but she just shrugged and stuck her tongue out cheekily. Grace was far too busy talking to the president to have time to get her to change, though. Serena really did not care one bit and purposely distanced herself from the party. She was desperately waiting for an excuse to leave and finally got it later on, when a kind-looking brunette woman came over to serve Grace some scallops. And that was her chance to escape, as she wandered off on a little adventure. She told herself she'd be back before anyone even noticed she was gone, as she happily skipped into Viridian forest. She wanted to just be a normal kid for once and enjoy her childhood while it lasted. Just for one day. Serena was particularly interested in discovering new foreign Pokemon, she'd be less likely to see back home.

It was a beautiful day, as she spotted several different interesting Pokemon and even played with a few of the kinder ones. Serena was having the time of her life, until she accidentally stumbled upon a Beedrill nest. The Beedrill angrily flew out and began to attack in retaliation. Serena panicked and ran as fast as could. But unfortunately, she tripped on an overgrown tree root. She went face first down onto the ground, as her knee hit the root hard upon landing. She yelped in pain and called out for help, as the Beedrill got nearer to her. No response. Serena was in deep trouble, as the stingers got dangerously closer and closer to her. She couldn't move with her injured knee either, so she was defenseless. The best she could do was slowly turn herself over. Then a knight in shining armour finally came to her aid, but it wasn't a knight at all. It was just a kid, the same age as her, in a Musketeer hat that was way too big for him.

'Pikachu, use thunderbolt!' commanded the boy.

Pikachu did as he was told and shocked the Beedrill, leaving them all paralysed.

'Great job, buddy!' cried the boy.

The Beedrill retreated and returned to their hive. Then the boy offered his hand to Serena, to help her up.

'I-I can't. My knee is hurt.'

The boy nodded in understanding, then quickly put his hands in his pockets. He fished around in them, until he pulled out a handkerchief. He wrapped it around Serena's hurt knee carefully. Then he grinned at her and started waving his hands about suddenly. Serena stared at him in utter confusion, wondering just what on earth this boy was doing. But she was completely mesmerised by him.

'Pain, pain, go away!' he chanted, like a magic spell.

'There. That should be a little better at least. Try and stand now. I'll help you.'

Serena tried to get up, but immediately dropped back down.

'That's okay. Keep trying. You can do it.'

'I- I can't! It's too painful!' she whined

'Yes, you can! There's no such word as can't! Come on, try again.'

Serena tried again, but still couldn't. She sighed. But the stranger only encouraged her even more. He just wasn't giving up on her and wasn't accepting defeat. Then after two more attempts, she eventually found the strength to stand and was being supported by the boy, in his arms.

'You see! Look! You stood! I told you you could do it!'

The boy grinned a bright smile and Serena looked across at him, but quickly turned away and blushed a little. She was in awe of how positive minded this boy was. And how kind he was. He was so determined to help a complete stranger, when he really didn't need to. She had never met anyone like him.

'Y-yeah I did. Thank you.'

The boy grinned at her again and chuckled a little.

'And that's why you never give up until the end!'

Serena nodded and blushed again, looking at the boy dead in the eyes now. She noticed that he had the most big, caring, brown eyes she had ever seen. Her heart was even fluttering a little, but she had no idea why exactly.

'You still need to get some proper treatment, though. There's a party going on just outside of the forest. That way.'

The boy pointed in the direction of it.
'I can take you back there to get some help, if you want?'

'Oh. Yes, please,' said Serena, gratefully.

'Alright, hold on to me then. Let's take it nice and slow and easy.'

Serena held onto the boy for support, as she limped onwards, back to the party. She was afraid that she'd be in so much trouble with her mother when she got back, but the priority now was to get some help for her knee. So she'd have to worry about that later. As soon as they walked out of the forest, they saw Grace frantically searching around, as she turned her head and found her daughter at last.

'SERENA!' She screamed. 'Where have you been?! I've been looking everywhere for you.'

She was angry, but then quickly noticed she was limping and changed her tone.

'Oh my god! Doctor! Doctor! Come quick!' she called, desperately.

A doctor came rushing towards Serena.

'Take her inside! There's a first aid kit in the kitchen,' said the president.

The doctor obeyed his orders and picked her up in his arms and carried her over to the president's house.

'Wait!' cried Serena.

She looked back over to her rescuer, but the doctor didn't stop. Serena wished she could stay with him longer and was sad they were parting ways so soon after meeting. She didn't even know his name.

'I didn't get your name, stranger! But thank you so much! I will never forget what you did for me!' she shouted.

'You're welcome!' the boy shouted back. 'And my name is A-'

'Ash!' cried a waitress.

It was his mother, Delia and the same woman who served Queen Grace earlier. By the time Delia said his name, though, Serena was too far away to hear it. Then after Serena was treated, she returned to the party, in hopes of finding her new found crush, but he had disappeared. Serena, of course, recovered from her injury in time, but she was left wondering just who the kind-hearted boy was and was desperate to meet him again one day. And the funny thing was, she didn't feel any more pain at all while she recovered from it. But there was still an ailment in her heart, ever since that day, as she could never get the boy she had met for just one fleeting summer afternoon, off her mind for the next 8 years…

'Serena… Serena! SERENA!' shouted Shauna.

She clicked her fingers in her face again, as Serena snapped out of yet another daydream.

'Oh. Sorry, Shauna. I was just in my own world there.'

'Hmm. Well, you do that a lot. So I'm used to it.'

Shauna chuckled and Serena laughed with her.

'You are a good friend, my dear Shauna.'

Serena hugged her, taking Shauna off guard a little. She was always there to listen to her. Shauna hugged her back and then Serena suddenly let go and jumped up off the bed.

'Now, enough of that. I fancy a little evening stroll around the palace before dinner, if you could please accompany me?'

'Of course, your grace.'

Shauna helped Serena put her shoes back on and then escorted her through a couple of the long palace corridors. It was a gigantic palace full of many different rooms, so it always took some time to get around it. They eventually reached the main palace doors, where two royal guards with pointy staffs were on guard duty. The guards saluted Serena and then moved aside for her to exit. They knew by now not to question where their majesty was going. She was always out and about with her lady-in-waiting. As long as she didn't leave the palace grounds entirely without a guard, she was safe. Mostly…The sun was still setting in beautiful orange hues as they headed outside. Shauna walked on ahead and stepped down the palace steps. Serena followed, but as she took her first step, she felt a shiver go down her spine. She paused briefly, mid step, before continuing on. Serena walked down to the last step, when all of a sudden, a big rock came hurtling down from the palace roof. Shauna turned around and opened her mouth in shock.

'Watch out, your majesty!' cried Shauna, pointing at the rock.

Serena shrieked and quickly jumped out of the way, landing safely on the ground. She thankfully evaded it, as it rolled past her. The only casualty was a slight graze on her arm and a small tear in her dress. Shauna came rushing over to help Serena up.

'Oh my! Are you okay, your majesty?'

'Yes, I'm fine, thank you. But why on earth has a rock fallen down on me like this?'

Serena looked up and then the guards came rushing out to see if everything was in order. They too asked if Serena was okay.

'Yes, I'm okay. But rocks don't just fall out of the sky for no reason. Go investigate! Immediately!' demanded Serena.

The guards nodded and were about to dart off, when a hot air balloon with a big R suddenly appeared in the air. Everyone looked up at it, with very confused expressions, as the culprits got away. But they couldn't identify them, as their faces were concealed with theater masks and they had dark brown hoods on. But one of them was unmistakably a Pokemon of some kind, with cat-like feet, perched on two human shoulders. One of the palace guards attempted to throw his staff at the balloon to puncture it, but there was no catching them now, as they disappeared behind some clouds and exited the scene unscathed. Serena was thankfully unharmed too. But an attempt on your life wasn't something you could just brush under the carpet, like it was nothing. Whoever those three were, they intentionally wanted to take the princess out. It was unclear for what reason exactly. But it was enough to concern Serena. They would surely come back and be after again at some point. So she needed some personal protection, to ensure her safety. And the best bodyguards available in the land were the Mighty Musketeers…